Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Visits Jenin: Sowing Seeds of Hope in Jenin

In a powerful video released by Caritas Jerusalem, Mr. Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, takes us on a poignant journey through the Jenin refugee camp, where he sheds light on the devastating impact of recent violence. Standing amid the destruction of homes, roads, and critical infrastructure, Mr. Dutton describes the immense challenges faced by the local community. "Here I am in Jenin refugee camp, and behind me and around me, you can see the amount of infrastructure and the roads that have been destroyed recently," he remarks, emphasizing the profound disruption to the local economy and the social fabric of the area.

The situation, according to Mr. Dutton, is dire: "What's really heartbreaking is that all of this activity is made necessary because people just can't go about their ordinary business. Now, nobody has any permits to cross the border, and they are really enclosed. This is an open prison, if you like." The inability of the people to engage in their normal activities has forced them to create an artificial economy within the camp, as the external connections they once relied upon have been severed.

Despite these hardships, Caritas Jerusalem has been working tirelessly to provide hope through practical support. The video showcases several beneficiaries of Caritas Jerusalem's income-generating projects, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity. One woman shares how she signed up for Caritas’ sewing program to help support her family financially. Another beneficiary reflects on how Caritas provided essential equipment to help start up her own business. "Caritas Jerusalem supports income-generating projects to benefit the whole family, not just individuals," says a third participant, underscoring the organization’s holistic approach to development.

Mr. Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem "We provided her with sewing equipment, and this has helped improve her household income." The stories of these individuals, supported by Caritas’ commitment, offer a powerful testament to the capacity for change, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The video concludes with a reflective comment from Mr. Dutton: "Hope, now here in Palestine, is a very difficult concept. It's almost impossible to see how it will resolve itself. But for me, the seeds of hope are always found in the community. By visiting individual families and seeing how life continues, we witness the hope that remains."

Mr. Dutton’s closing words remind us that, though the path ahead may seem uncertain, hope is not lost. "If they can remain hopeful, we must take the examples from one place and replicate them over and over again. That’s how we can keep hope alive."

This visit to Jenin offers a glimpse of resilience, of individuals and communities keeping hope alive against the odds, and Caritas Jerusalem’s unwavering commitment to supporting them, one family at a time.